krobinett@journalnet.com

Nobody said they were playing for Amorrow Morgan or the memory of his father, who passed away earlier this week following a long battle with cancer, but it was clear everyone on Idaho State's roster wanted to beat Portland State at least somewhat for their grieving teammate.

After missing the Bengals' last game against Northern Colorado to be with his family in Memphis, Morgan seemed unaware he was going to start against Portland State during pregame introductions until his teammates forced him onto the court following the announcement of his name.

He responded by scoring 13 points and handing out six assists.

Morgan was requested by the media to talk after the game, but either chose not to or was not allowed to.

But Idaho State coach Joe O'Brien said: "I was pretty proud of the kid."

"None of us have been put in that position," he said. "To have to play Division I basketball shortly after losing a father. Following something like that, you might need to escape a little bit. That's what tonight and Saturday are about, they're his escape."

Carson the amazing

Donnie Carson completed one of the most acrobatic plays of the season on Thursday when he took a lob pass from Morgan on the right side of the basket, faked a shot, fell to the left side of the basket and banked in a guarded layup.

When asked if he had a name for the shot, Carson said he did.

"I call that play Shazaam and Abrakadabra," he said. "That sounds pretty good, right?"

O'Brien's lucky day

O'Brien said he knew Idaho State was going to win because he was having a lucky day.

"I was charged up," he said. "I found a penny heads up in the locker room. My horoscope in the paper said I was going to have a five-star day and Notre Dame won. I was on the trifecta."

Portland State's struggles

The Vikings seem to live and die on nothing but the 3-pointer these days.

Against Idaho State, they shot 30 shots from the outside and made just 10.